This timely work explores two influential religious traditions that
might seem to have little in common: Twelver Shi'i Islam and Roman
Catholicism. With the worldwide rise of religious fundamentalism,
it is imperative that religious movements such as Christianity and
Islam begin working harder to understand one another's history and
beliefs. Myths and misunderstandings continue to prevail, and
observers tend to focus on the differences between the two faith
systems.
Without denying these differences, the authors of this book reveal
a number of interesting linkages between Roman Catholicism and
Twelver Shi'ism. They compare the histories of the two faiths,
consider parallels between important figures in each, and highlight
the doctrinal, structural, and sociopolitical similarities they
share. Balanced in tone and carefully researched, the book helps
explain the essence of both traditions while enriching our
understanding of each.
There are an estimated 140 million Twelver Shi'is in the world
today. The highest percentages live in Persian Gulf countries,
including Iran and Iraq, and in Azerbaijan, Lebanon, and
Afghanistan. Sizable numbers also inhabit Pakistan, India, and
Turkey. The largest Christian denomination, Roman Catholicism is
present across the globe, though its population of more than one
billion people is concentrated in North and South America and in
Europe.